The Weekend Interview with Bernard Connolly: Why the Euro Crisis Isn't Over - WSJ.com:
"Yet unemployment is close to 27% in Spain and Greece.
The euro-zone economy shrank ever-faster throughout 2012.
And—most important in Mr. Connolly's view—the economic fundamentals in France are getting worse.
This week France announced it would miss its deficit-reduction target for the year because of dimming growth prospects.
It's one thing to bail out Greece or Ireland, Mr. Connolly says, but "if the Germans at some point think, 'We're going to have to bail out France, and on an ongoing, perpetual basis,' will they do it?"
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Billionaire U: Why Harvard Mints Mega-Rich Alums
Billionaire U: Why Harvard Mints Mega-Rich Alums
""It shows the power of networks," said David Friedman, president of Wealth-X.
"Harvard has this entrenched, powerful network that extends across so many sectors and is incredibly pro-active about connecting its alumni. You get a great education, but you also get access."
Harvard's success, said Friedman, "validates what we all whisper and now we know:
It's not just what you know, it's who you know.""
""It shows the power of networks," said David Friedman, president of Wealth-X.
"Harvard has this entrenched, powerful network that extends across so many sectors and is incredibly pro-active about connecting its alumni. You get a great education, but you also get access."
Harvard's success, said Friedman, "validates what we all whisper and now we know:
It's not just what you know, it's who you know.""
What would the Muskegon County jail addition look like? Probably not much like a jail, consultant says
What would the Muskegon County jail addition look like? Probably not much like a jail, consultant says | MLive.com
"The Muskegon County Jail and Juvenile Transition Center Committee on Thursday, Feb. 21, decided to send county commissioners a formal proposal on where the buildings would be built and how the county could pay for their construction."
"The Muskegon County Jail and Juvenile Transition Center Committee on Thursday, Feb. 21, decided to send county commissioners a formal proposal on where the buildings would be built and how the county could pay for their construction."
How France Got So Lazy
How France Got So Lazy - The Daily Beast:
"But back at home, it’s increasingly clear that stifling union rules, high unemployment (and higher taxes), and a baffling lack of entrepreneurial spirit signal a country in crisis.
And the deepening sense of dread can be traced directly to the educational system."
"But back at home, it’s increasingly clear that stifling union rules, high unemployment (and higher taxes), and a baffling lack of entrepreneurial spirit signal a country in crisis.
And the deepening sense of dread can be traced directly to the educational system."
Athletes cash in on California's workers' comp
Athletes cash in on California's workers' comp - Los Angeles Times:
"So it may surprise Californians to find out that in 2011, Davis got a $199,000 injury settlement from a California workers' compensation court for injuries related to football.
This came despite the fact Davis was employed by a Colorado team and played just nine times in California during an 88-game career, according to the NFL."
"So it may surprise Californians to find out that in 2011, Davis got a $199,000 injury settlement from a California workers' compensation court for injuries related to football.
This came despite the fact Davis was employed by a Colorado team and played just nine times in California during an 88-game career, according to the NFL."
Muskegon County Commissioners to work on policy favoring local bids for county work
Muskegon County Commissioners to work on policy favoring local bids for county work | MLive.com
""Basically, what we're trying to do is help our local economy and keep dollars in the community," he said....
......"But whether all of the commissioners can agree on the details is uncertain.
For example, while Nash's proposal had focused on businesses in Muskegon County, District 5 Marvin R. Engle, for instance, would rather include businesses in the greater regional area, including Kent County.
""Basically, what we're trying to do is help our local economy and keep dollars in the community," he said....
......"But whether all of the commissioners can agree on the details is uncertain.
For example, while Nash's proposal had focused on businesses in Muskegon County, District 5 Marvin R. Engle, for instance, would rather include businesses in the greater regional area, including Kent County.
America Has Become A Crazy Control Freak Nation – Illegal Everything
America Has Become A Crazy Control Freak Nation – Illegal Everything | Consciousness TV
"Our lives are governed by millions of laws, rules and regulations and more are being piled on all the time.
In fact, 40,000 new laws just went into effect in January.
Every single new law restricts your freedom just a little bit more.
The truth is that America has become a crazy control freak nation where virtually everything that we do is highly regulated.
You have probably broken multiple laws today that you don't even know exist.
We have all become criminals and lawbreakers because almost everything is illegal at this point.
Our politicians are convinced that they are "making life better" by piling gigantic mountains of laws on to our backs, and law enforcement authorities are convinced that they are helping society by "cracking down on crime", but the reality is that our liberties and our freedoms are being strangled by all of this government oppression.
This is not the way that America is supposed to work."
"Our lives are governed by millions of laws, rules and regulations and more are being piled on all the time.
In fact, 40,000 new laws just went into effect in January.
Every single new law restricts your freedom just a little bit more.
The truth is that America has become a crazy control freak nation where virtually everything that we do is highly regulated.
You have probably broken multiple laws today that you don't even know exist.
We have all become criminals and lawbreakers because almost everything is illegal at this point.
Our politicians are convinced that they are "making life better" by piling gigantic mountains of laws on to our backs, and law enforcement authorities are convinced that they are helping society by "cracking down on crime", but the reality is that our liberties and our freedoms are being strangled by all of this government oppression.
This is not the way that America is supposed to work."
One day, turning off the lights won't be up to you
One day, turning off the lights won't be up to you - Telegraph
"If our government were not lost in a bubble of complete make-believe, it would keep open those coal-fired power stations the EU is forcing us to close next month (although it may be too late), it would stop subsidising grotesquely expensive wind farms, and it would go flat out to exploit Britain’s vast reserves of the shale gas that has more than halved US gas prices in four years.
But we do not have such a government.
Our lights will go out, our economy will suffer a catastrophe, our bills will double, and tens of thousands more people will die of cold in those freezing winters that our politicians were somehow fooled into believing would never come again."
"If our government were not lost in a bubble of complete make-believe, it would keep open those coal-fired power stations the EU is forcing us to close next month (although it may be too late), it would stop subsidising grotesquely expensive wind farms, and it would go flat out to exploit Britain’s vast reserves of the shale gas that has more than halved US gas prices in four years.
But we do not have such a government.
Our lights will go out, our economy will suffer a catastrophe, our bills will double, and tens of thousands more people will die of cold in those freezing winters that our politicians were somehow fooled into believing would never come again."
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Michigan Board Corruption Shielded Alexander from 2009 Botched Abortion Complaint
Michigan Board Corruption Shielded Alexander from 2009 Botched Abortion Complaint
"Muskegon, MI — A local Muskegon television news station is reporting that a former chairman of the Michigan Board of Medicine with ties to troubled abortionist Robert Alexander, improperly protected him from further discipline by ordering that there be no investigation of a 2009 complaint filed by the obstetrician of two patients that suffered botched abortions by Alexander."
"Muskegon, MI — A local Muskegon television news station is reporting that a former chairman of the Michigan Board of Medicine with ties to troubled abortionist Robert Alexander, improperly protected him from further discipline by ordering that there be no investigation of a 2009 complaint filed by the obstetrician of two patients that suffered botched abortions by Alexander."
Talent Mercantilists Running Amok In Michigan
Talent Mercantilists Running Amok In Michigan [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
"The basic theory of talent mercantilism is that adding college graduates leads to faster growth.
While it’s true that college graduates have higher incomes than those who are not, you can track the states that are successful at growing their college graduates and those that are successful at growing their economies.
It turns out that one has very little to do with the other, as I show here."
"The basic theory of talent mercantilism is that adding college graduates leads to faster growth.
While it’s true that college graduates have higher incomes than those who are not, you can track the states that are successful at growing their college graduates and those that are successful at growing their economies.
It turns out that one has very little to do with the other, as I show here."
Senate Roll Call 444 - Michigan Votes
Senate Roll Call 444 - Michigan Votes: "The amendment
IN FAVOR
SENATE DEMOCRATS
Anderson (D) Bieda (D) Gleason (D) Gregory (D) Hood (D)
Hopgood (D) Hunter (D) Johnson (D) Smith (D) Warren (D)
Whitmer (D) Young (D)
SENATE REPUBLICANS
Hansen (R)
Huh?!!!!!
IN FAVOR
SENATE DEMOCRATS
Anderson (D) Bieda (D) Gleason (D) Gregory (D) Hood (D)
Hopgood (D) Hunter (D) Johnson (D) Smith (D) Warren (D)
Whitmer (D) Young (D)
SENATE REPUBLICANS
Hansen (R)
Huh?!!!!!
Detroit Gave Unions Keys To The City, And Now Nothing Is Left
Detroit Gave Unions Keys To The City, And Now Nothing Is Left | Schoolcraft Republican Party:
"All you really need to know about Detroit, which is facing a $327 million budget gap, is that last year it was discovered to still be paying for a “horseshoer” (or farrier) on the Detroit Water & Sewer Department (DWSD) payroll.
This individual costs some $56,000 in pay and benefits, despite the city not having any horses to shoe in his department."
"All you really need to know about Detroit, which is facing a $327 million budget gap, is that last year it was discovered to still be paying for a “horseshoer” (or farrier) on the Detroit Water & Sewer Department (DWSD) payroll.
This individual costs some $56,000 in pay and benefits, despite the city not having any horses to shoe in his department."
The Non-Existent Spending Cuts Wrought By The 'Devastating' Sequester
The Non-Existent Spending Cuts Wrought By The 'Devastating' Sequester - Forbes
Meanwhile the legacy press goes into overdrive exaggerating the impact of these “cuts” – demonizing any politician who dares to support them as the equivalent of a puppy murderer. At this point Republicans invariably cave under the pressure – and the burden of both parties’ bad decisions gets shifted even further onto future generations of taxpayers.
Sound familiar?
This basic storyline – played out time and time again – is directly responsible for our nation’s $16.5 trillion debt, its soaring deficits, its unfunded liabilities and its inability to sustain anything resembling a real economic recovery.
In fact the $630 billion tax hike associated with the recent “fiscal cliff” deal is the latest example of our economy paying the price for politicians’ refusal to rein in spending.
“Members of Congress who would otherwise like to cut spending know they’re going to take a beating from the media and special interests,” concludesThe Cato Institute’s Tad DeHaven.
“Few politicians are willing to take that heat.
Fewer still can even articulate why spending cuts and smaller government are good.”
Prosecutors charge ex-DNR official in data breach
Prosecutors charge ex-DNR official in data breach - TwinCities.com
"A Department of Natural Resources middle manager illegally accessed driver's license data belonging to thousands of Minnesota women and kept encrypted pictures of 172 of them on a work computer before he was fired"
"I'm from the government, I'm here to help you......."
"A Department of Natural Resources middle manager illegally accessed driver's license data belonging to thousands of Minnesota women and kept encrypted pictures of 172 of them on a work computer before he was fired"
"I'm from the government, I'm here to help you......."
BOB WOODWARD: How Obama Has Moved The Goal Posts On The Sequester Deal
Instapundit » Blog Archive » BOB WOODWARD: How Obama Has Moved The Goal Posts On The Sequester Deal.
“There was an insistence on the part of Republicans in Congress for there to be some automatic trigger,” Lew said while campaigning in Florida. It “was very much rooted in the Republican congressional insistence that there be an automatic measure.”Read the whole thing. Including this: “So when the president asks that a substitute for the sequester include not just spending cuts but also new revenue, he is moving the goal posts. His call for a balanced approach is reasonable, and he makes a strong case that those in the top income brackets could and should pay more. But that was not the deal he made.”
The president and Lew had this wrong. My extensive reporting for my book “The Price of Politics” shows that the automatic spending cuts were initiated by the White House and were the brainchild of Lew and White House congressional relations chief Rob Nabors — probably the foremost experts on budget issues in the senior ranks of the federal government.
Obama personally approved of the plan for Lew and Nabors to propose the sequester to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). They did so at 2:30 p.m. July 27, 2011, according to interviews with two senior White House aides who were directly involved.
Nabors has told others that they checked with the president before going to see Reid. A mandatory sequester was the only action-forcing mechanism they could devise. Nabors has said, “We didn’t actually think it would be that hard to convince them” — Reid and the Republicans — to adopt the sequester. “It really was the only thing we had. There was not a lot of other options left on the table.” . . .
But then Burr asked about the president’s statement during the presidential debate, that the Republicans originated it. Lew, being a good lawyer and a loyal presidential adviser, then shifted to denial mode: “Senator, the demand for an enforcement mechanism was not something that the administration was pushing at that moment.”
That statement was not accurate.
Friday, February 22, 2013
7TH CIRCUIT LETS POSNER RULING STAND; HUGE WIN FOR CCW, SAYS SAF
SAF Press Release :: 7TH CIRCUIT LETS POSNER RULING STAND; HUGE WIN FOR CCW, SAYS SAF:
"The Second Amendment Foundation today won a significant victory for concealed carry when the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals let stand a December ruling by a three-judge panel of the court that forces Illinois to adopt a concealed carry law, thus affirming that the right to bear arms exists outside the home."
"The Second Amendment Foundation today won a significant victory for concealed carry when the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals let stand a December ruling by a three-judge panel of the court that forces Illinois to adopt a concealed carry law, thus affirming that the right to bear arms exists outside the home."
*VIDEO* Where do criminals get their guns?
*VIDEO* Where do criminals get their guns? - The Libertarian Republic
" A survey of prison inmates found that 40% get them off the street, 40% from friends and family, 4% from Pawn shops and 1% from flea markets and gun shows."
" A survey of prison inmates found that 40% get them off the street, 40% from friends and family, 4% from Pawn shops and 1% from flea markets and gun shows."
New Jersey College Students Get Stung By ObamaCare
New Jersey College Students Get Stung By ObamaCare | Heartlander Magazine:
"Consider the situation in New Jersey, the only state that currently requires all college students to have healthcare coverage.
This has always been a bare-bones plan costing $100-$600 per year.
The new healthcare regulations will force these plans to be phased out, as the mandated coverage under ObamaCare will cause the premiums to rise from a few hundred dollars to $1,700 per year."
"Consider the situation in New Jersey, the only state that currently requires all college students to have healthcare coverage.
This has always been a bare-bones plan costing $100-$600 per year.
The new healthcare regulations will force these plans to be phased out, as the mandated coverage under ObamaCare will cause the premiums to rise from a few hundred dollars to $1,700 per year."
USDA employees recite past US discrimination in sensitivity class
USDA employees recite past US discrimination in sensitivity class | The Daily Caller
"In the additional clips, excerpted from the more than 3.5-hour “Cultural Sensitivity Training” session that was never intended to be publicized, diversity awareness trainer Samuel Betances of Souder, Betances and Associates advises further on the cultural sensitivity sins of America.
“I want you to say: ‘If we work for a federal agency.’ Say that. [Audience repeats] ‘We have discriminated in the past.’ [Audience repeats] Say: ‘Every federal agency,’ [Audience repeats] ‘has discriminated against African Americans,’ [Audience repeats] ‘Hispanics,’ [Audience repeats] ‘Native American Indians,’ [Audience repeats] ‘and other groups’ [Audience repeats],” Betances coaches.
“See, if you work for a federal agency, it doesn’t matter if it’s DOD, Commerce, Labor, Education, Housing, every agency has discriminated, because every agency reflects the values of the generation in charge,” he adds."
"In the additional clips, excerpted from the more than 3.5-hour “Cultural Sensitivity Training” session that was never intended to be publicized, diversity awareness trainer Samuel Betances of Souder, Betances and Associates advises further on the cultural sensitivity sins of America.
“I want you to say: ‘If we work for a federal agency.’ Say that. [Audience repeats] ‘We have discriminated in the past.’ [Audience repeats] Say: ‘Every federal agency,’ [Audience repeats] ‘has discriminated against African Americans,’ [Audience repeats] ‘Hispanics,’ [Audience repeats] ‘Native American Indians,’ [Audience repeats] ‘and other groups’ [Audience repeats],” Betances coaches.
“See, if you work for a federal agency, it doesn’t matter if it’s DOD, Commerce, Labor, Education, Housing, every agency has discriminated, because every agency reflects the values of the generation in charge,” he adds."
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